Staph Continues to be Cause for Concern at Westside

JONESBORO, AR - Staph infection continues to be a cause for concern in the Westside School District.

Late last week, the district temporarily shutdown due to an outbreak of staph that hospitalized one student.

Classes resumed yesterday at Westside, but superintendent James Best told K8 News this afternoon that there are now three more confirmed cases of staph in the district. One of those cases is in the high school, and the other two are at the elementary campus.

Dr. Best also says there are two other cases of possible staph infection that have not yet been confirmed in the high school, and a case of impetigo in the elementary school that is believed to be staph-related. Impetigo is a contagious bacterial skin infection that is characterized by blisters that may itch.

Best says the Westside campuses remain open for now, but school officials will continue to closely monitor the situation.